LI Rescue Group Set To Release 35+ Sea Turtles This Summer

RIVERHEAD, NY — More than 35 rehabilitated sea turtles will be released by a Long Island rescue organization this summer — and as they start their new lives, the turtles will be equipped with tracking devices to monitor their movement patterns and utilization of marine habitats

Since 2017, New York Marine Rescue Center Program Director Maxine Montello has been releasing rehabilitated sea turtles equipped with satellite tags, which allow for post-release monitoring. The devices provide live tracking of released sea turtles and help further understand their behavior in local and surrounding waters, she said.

In New York, sea turtles strand for various reasons including entanglement, vessel interaction, malnourishment and debilitation, and cold stunning with many cases linked to human activities and overlap of shared resources between sea turtle and human populations, NYMRC said.

NYMRC provides both in-field rescue and rehabilitation to four species of sea turtles: leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridleys, loggerheads, and greens, the organization said.

Many of the turtles are admitted for rehabilitation, which averages between six to nine months, Montello said.

Once cleared for release by a veterinarian, sea turtles are provided with flipper and PIT tags for future identification, and some are equipped with tracking devices; however, the tracking devices are costly so only a handful of sea turtles are provided with a tag each release season, NYMRC said.

Data obtained from the tags is shared with NYMRC’s supporters through the NYMRC website, where people "can live track these charismatic megafaunas," Montello said.

"Understanding sea turtle behavior is crucial due to the limited information that is available regarding local populations within New York waters. In addition, this research showcases how important the work we do at NYMRC is — and that we are providing these animals with a second chance by returning them back home to the ocean," Montello added.

All public releases will be shred via NYMRC’s social media platforms and website.